Low-Cost Media for in vitro Multiplication and Development of Protocorm Like Bodies (PLBs) of Eulophia graminea Orchid

Abstract

Eulophia graminea is a saprophytic orchid easily found in a high salinity environment along the coastline. A study aimed to explore low-cost media compositions enriched with organic matters for in vitro multiplication and development of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of E. graminea . This study consisted of two stages. The first stage was to determine the best basic media for in vitro PLBs multiplication by testing NPK 20-20-20, Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC), and Vacin and Went (VW). The second stage was to compare the development of PLBs of E. graminea using NPK 20-20-20 as the basic media, supplemented with three types of organic matters (Cavendish banana, potato and coconut water) and four organic matter concentrations (50,100, 150, 200 ml L -1 ), arranged under Factorial Completely Randomized Design with ten replications. The results showed that orchid PLB of E. graminea could be planted on NPK medium with similar success in growth and development, in term of PLB number, PLB diameter, leaf number in plantlet, plantlet height, root number and root length, to those planted on MS medium. Among complex organic growth supplements, including coconut water, potato, and banana, coconut water at a concentration of 57.17 – 98.67 ml L -1 resulted in the best multiplication of PLB, in term of the greatest number, PLB diameter, and fresh weight. Coconut water promotes the greatest conversion of PLB into plantlets of E. graminea at an optimum concentration of 91.63 – 102.89 ml L -1 . The price of using a complete fertilizer medium NPK is much lower than those of using MS medium, Knudson C medium, or Vacin and Went medium; this media was the most cost-effective media for mass micropropagation of E. graminea .